Nnenna Freelon: “Black Iris”
Clip: 2/27/2025 | 4m 39sVideo has Closed Captions
Nnenna Freelon performs “Black Iris,” which was inspired by the rare flower’s unique blossoming.
Nnenna Freelon’s song “Black Iris,” from her album “Beneath the Skin,” draws inspiration from the blossoming of a rare flower. She compares this flower to a beautiful woman, highlighting the transformative power of love and beauty.
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Shaped by Sound is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Nnenna Freelon: “Black Iris”
Clip: 2/27/2025 | 4m 39sVideo has Closed Captions
Nnenna Freelon’s song “Black Iris,” from her album “Beneath the Skin,” draws inspiration from the blossoming of a rare flower. She compares this flower to a beautiful woman, highlighting the transformative power of love and beauty.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[gentle intro music] ♪ Lost some of the night ♪ ♪ I dream of you and smile ♪ ♪ Filled with elegance ♪ ♪ Intoxicating scent ♪ ♪ Black iris in bloom ♪ ♪ And when she winks her eye ♪ ♪ All the lonesome butter-butterflies ♪ ♪ Sing her praise in their own sweet way ♪ ♪ Black iris in bloom ♪ ♪ She's no ordinary shade ♪ ♪ Midnight floral serenade ♪ ♪ When her blues are on parade ♪ ♪ She sways in the breeze ♪ ♪ Brings June to her knees ♪ ♪ Her petals on display ♪ ♪ Summer bed in disarray ♪ ♪ Yet the roses whisper ♪ ♪ What a fine little sister ♪ ♪ Black iris in bloom ♪ ♪ She's no ordinary shade ♪ ♪ Midnight floral serenade ♪ ♪ When her blooms are on parade ♪ ♪ She sways in the breeze ♪ ♪ Brings June to her knees ♪ ♪ Her petals on display ♪ ♪ Summer bed in disarray ♪ ♪ Yet the roses whisper ♪ ♪ What a fine little sister ♪ ♪ Black iris, black iris in bloom ♪
Nnenna Freelon: “Beneath the Skin”
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Clip: 2/27/2025 | 3m 39s | Nnenna Freelon’s song “Beneath the Skin” explores the emotions beneath joy and pain. (3m 39s)
Nnenna Freelon: “Dark & Lovely”
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Clip: 2/27/2025 | 3m 35s | Nnenna Freelon performs “Dark & Lovely,” a song dedicated to her young granddaughters. (3m 35s)
Nnenna Freelon: “Here’s Your Hat”
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Clip: 2/27/2025 | 5m 28s | Nnenna Freelon’s “Here’s Your Hat,” a song about letting go of those who no longer serve you well. (5m 28s)
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Clip: 2/27/2025 | 7m 55s | Nnenna Freelon performs her soulful reinvention of the well-known folk song “Oh! Susanna.” (7m 55s)
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Clip: 2/27/2025 | 4m 33s | Nnenna Freelon’s “Widow Song” delves into the societal labels that accompany grief. (4m 33s)
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Preview: 2/27/2025 | 30s | The incomparable jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon shares selections from her latest album. (30s)
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Shaped by Sound is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.